Solomon: Mr. Crane, you get what you pay for with these Astros

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Let’s not play two. Let’s play one in the time it used to take to play two.

If the Astros haven’t been exasperating enough, they continue to think of ways to torture the poor souls willing to share a couple or four hours watching minor league baseball in a major league stadium.

Sunday, the Astros became the first National League team to lose a game this season when scoring 10 or more runs. At least the air conditioning is nice.

There is weak hitting one day (Saturday), poor pitching the next (Sunday). Thank goodness they are off today.

The Tampa Bay Rays pounded the Astros into submission with a 14-10 win Sunday, dealing them their third home sweep this season and 14th loss in their last 16 home games.

Only one Astro has more home runs at Minute Maid Park this season than Evan Longoria and B.J. Upton, who have three apiece. Did I mention Longoria and Upton have played in only three games in Houston this season? Or that they don’t play for the Astros?

Or that Lance Berkman leads all players with five homers at Minute Maid this season? Or that Berkman no longer plays for the Astros?

Oh, it’s sickening. Why do people continue to subject themselves to this?

The team alleges some 24,000 did so Sunday.

Sadly, and surprisingly for anyone familiar with the history of baseball in the state of Texas, there might be as many people show up to cheer on the Texas Rangers in the upcoming three-game set as there will be to see the Astros.

Don’t expect Jim Crane to discover a cure for the Astros’ problem. The incoming owner isn’t Sir Andrew Fleming. This could be a long-term illness.

With Sunday’s loss, the Astros dropped to 28-51 and are on pace to lose a franchise-record 105 games.

Roster lacks talent

The Astros have been this bad (2000, when they started the year 27-52, and 1975, when they were 28-51), but never has the franchise fallen to this depth with so few quality major leaguers on the roster and so few top prospects in the pipeline.

The 2000 team had hope. (And talent.) Compare the rosters. Any Biggios, Bagwells, Alous, Caminitis, Berkmans or Hidalgos on this team?

The 2000 squad had pitching issues (last in ERA) but led the National League in home runs and was second in batting average and runs scored.

These Astros are last in the league in homers and 10th in runs and even worse on the mound. They are next-to-last in ERA, having surrendered more long balls than any other team in the league, with fewer saves and more blown saves than any other NL team.
Is there a quick fix to repair this organization?

Sure there is. Crane could add $100 million to the payroll in the next two years, and the Astros would be relevant again. Imagine the look on Crane’s face should Ed Wade tell him that on his way out the door.

According to Forbes, more than 40 percent of the team’s purchase price was financed as debt, so don’t expect Crane to show up with an open checkbook.

Don’t be fooled

The team will probably initiate a campaign to convince you money isn’t the answer. If money isn’t the answer in sports, you’re not asking the right question. Or the right people.

Those with the money have done a great job persuading many who spend it and many who write about it that money doesn’t get it done.

On occasion, a team with a low payroll wins. And there are many examples of teams with high payrolls not winning.

But look at the numbers. Over the long haul, big bank beats little bank.

The Astros, in the fourth-largest city in the country, with a wonderful stadium and a strong fan base, belong among the big bankers.

Room for moves

The Astros have less than 50 percent of estimated 2009-10 revenues committed to player salaries in the next few years.

Though revenues have slipped — the Astros are in the middle of a fifth straight season with declining attendance — that is a strong financial position. That is one of the reasons the team was so attractive to Crane.

But unless he invests in his investment, this dreadful season will be the norm for a long time to come.

Fans should encourage Crane — no, demand from him — to spend money to upgrade his purchase.

Or would you rather get used to visiting players having all this fun in the $286 million ballpark the Astros couldn’t have built without you?